Legal

Megan Thee Stallion is hopeful that Tory Lanez is not only found guilty for allegedly shooting her, but that he's thrown behind bars as well.

Meg -- who's in the middle of a criminal case involving Lanez in which he's alleged to have shot her in the foot in 2020 -- did an interview with Rolling Stone, in which she touched on the legal matter ... and says she wants him to serve time.

She says, "I want him to go to jail," adding ... "I want him to go under the jail." MTS said this after reflecting/questioning why the case is dragging out so long.

As you know, Tory has denied Megan's accusations and pled not guilty to the charges against him. While there've been bumps throughout -- including him being temporarily remanded to custody for violating a protective order -- it seems the case is going to trial in September.

Megan claims her foot was injured during the shooting -- saying she had to undergo surgery, and couldn't walk for days. She says, "Both of my legs wrapped up. I could not walk. I still have bullet fragments in my feet right now. I was very scared that I was not able to be Megan Thee Stallion no more. And, I was f***ed up."

Megan also addressed the other witness in the matter -- her ex-best friend, Kelsey Harris -- saying she feels like she's sided with Tory in the aftermath. An even more triggering result, she says, is the social media backlash she's received from people who don't believe her.

'SNL' star Kenan Thompson is taking the next step in his separation from his wife of 11 years ... filing divorce docs and hammering out custody of their kids.

According to online records, Kenan filed last month in New York to make his announced split from Christina Evangeline all legal. TMZ broke the story back in April that the couple had separated and were successfully co-parenting their daughters Georgia and Gianna. We're told the couple had been secretly separated for a few years.

Sources connected with the former couple tell us Kenan and Christina agreed to share 50/50 custody -- and they are still living close to one another in NYC to make the custody arrangement easier for everyone involved, especially the kids.

Kenan and Christina tied the knot way back in 2011, saying their "I dos" at an aquarium in Atlanta.

As for why they split, our sources have said they simply grew apart as the years progressed.

Professionally, they lead much different lives. While Kenan's always been in the spotlight ... first as a child star on Nickelodeon, and now the longest-running 'SNL' cast member ... Christina works as an interior designer.

Amber Heard's days in 'Aquaman 2' are numbered ... IF you believe one report claiming she's been axed, but her team says that's a false rumor born out of post-trial vitriol for Amber.

Reports have circulated over the last week -- not from traditional industry outlets, BTW -- alleging the actress has been nixed from the sequel, and not just that, but that her role is going to be recast with an unnamed actress, with reshoots scheduled to take place soon.

That's total BS, though, according to Amber's spokesperson ... who tells us, "The rumor mill continues as it has from Day One -- inaccurate, insensitive, and slightly insane."

As for Warner Bros -- the studio that would be making the call on Amber's status -- we've reached out, but haven't heard back yet.

Here's the reality ... Amber has no say in how much she's featured in the movie, or if she gets recast in it. The studio shot all her scenes as Mera nearly a year ago, and they paid her too -- $2 million, as we learned in court -- so contractually, they're done.

There were rumblings Amber's screen time had been cut down significantly -- the word was, as of one of the more recent screenings, she was in it for less than 10 minutes ... and DC chief Walter Hamada seemed to confirm that in his testimony, but stopped short of declaring a hard number.

While WB is, no doubt, monitoring all the fallout from the trial, it would be a pretty extreme move to recast her.

Although many fans have called for it, it would be costly and time-consuming ... and 'Aquaman 2' has already been delayed once.

Jeff Hardy has been suspended by the AEW without pay following his DUI arrest on Monday, the org. announced Tuesday.

"We were able to resume contact with Jeff Hardy this afternoon," AEW President & CEO Tony Khan said in a statement. "AEW does not condone Jeff’s alleged behavior."

Khan said Hardy's ban will last until he successfully completes a treatment program and maintains his sobriety.

Khan added the AEW will "assist him in getting treatment for substance abuse issues, which he has indicated that he's open to receiving."

The 44-year-old wrestler signed with the org. this year after a lengthy run in the WWE -- and is considered one of the company's biggest stars. He was slated to wrestle in an AEW match on Wednesday.

As we reported, Hardy was arrested at around 10 AM on Monday morning in Florida, after cops say he drunkenly drove his car through Volusia County highways. He's since been hit with three charges, including felony DUI.

It's the third time since 2018 that Hardy has been accused of driving while impaired -- he was arrested for the alleged offense in North Carolina in '18 and then again in 2019.

"It was disheartening to hear the news about my brother yesterday," his brother, Matt Hardy -- who also wrestles in the AEW -- said in a statement Tuesday morning.

Deshaun Watson faced the Cleveland media for the first time since his intro presser with the Browns ... saying it's been "tough" to fight the sexual misconduct allegations made against him, but doubling down and adamantly denying he did anything wrong.

The Browns' $230-million man spoke with reporters after practice on Tuesday ... and gave detail on how he's doing as a mountain of lawsuits from two dozen massage therapists stands before him.

"Honestly, it's been tough," Watson said. "Just trying to make sure that I stay balanced with my mental and just my social life. But, I have a great family. I have a great legal team. and I have a great support cast here in this organization."

Watson says his focus has been on making the Cleveland Browns a better team ... and the support from his teammates and fans has made it easier on him as he tries to defend his name.

26-year-old Watson also spoke about his time with NFL investigators ... saying, "I spent hours with the people that they brought down and that's all I can do, is be honest and tell them exactly what happened."

"I know they have a job and I have to respect that and that's what we want to do, is cooperate, and they have to make a decision best for the league."

Watson -- who's accused of meeting with over 60 different masseuses over a 17-month span -- says the recent New York Times report doesn't sound right to him ... and he'll continue to fight to defend his name.

Deshaun previously spoke with the media about the allegations in March ... saying he "never assaulted any woman."

Two more lawsuits were filed after that statement.

Happy the elephant will NOT be freed from the Bronx Zoo ... after New York's highest court ruled the animal is not legally a person and is thus not being illegally detained.

The ruling from the Court of Appeals came down Tuesday ... a 5-2 decision rejecting an animal rights organization's argument that Happy deserves the same liberty rights as a human.

Remember ... the Nonhuman Rights Project sued to get Happy out of the zoo and moved to a more spacious sanctuary, arguing the Asian elephant is worthy of protections afforded to people as a cognitively complex and autonomous animal. Happy was captured in Asia back in the '70s when she was only 1 year old and has been at the Bronx Zoo ever since.

The issue before the court ... whether the writ of habeas corpus -- which humans use to challenge illegal confinement -- should apply to super smart animals like elephants. The judges ruled, no.

It's interesting ... the decision noted the potential snowball effect legally recognizing Happy as a person might have on society, with Chief Judge Janet DiFiore noting there could be "an enormous destabilizing impact on modern society."

However, two judges dissented, saying Happy should not be prevented from having certain liberty rights just because she's an animal.

Gold-selling Brooklyn drill rapper 22Gz was arrested on attempted murder charges early Sunday morning the moment he landed at JFK airport.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... 22Gz was in Atlanta since the shooting and may have thought the coast was clear for his Sunday Summer Jam performance ... but police caught up with him at the airport.

The snafu caused him to forfeit his appearance, as he was supposed to be a part of Hot 97's DJ Drewski's set.

The arrest stems from a March 6 shooting inside a Brooklyn party hall where 3 people were shot ... and police say one of the victims ID'd 22Gz as the shooter and provided officers with a detailed description of the "Twirlanta" rapper.

Despite the triple shooting ... we're told the injuries are not considered to be serious.

Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez ripped into 22Gz telling TMZ: "This shooting not only wounded the victim, but endangered the lives of everyone in a crowded club. Senseless gang rivalries fuel much of the gun violence in our communities and I remain committed to vigorously prosecuting anyone who engages in this criminal conduct."

In addition to the attempted murder charge, 22Gz is facing 2nd-degree assault and weapons charges for a pistol, along with a 1st-degree reckless endangerment charge.

Gunna isn’t taking his incarceration lightly … evidenced by a fiery letter he’s written from jail where he says America is violating his Freedom of Speech rights.

In an open letter dated on his 29th birthday — Tuesday, June 14, the incarcerated “Pushin P” rapper speaks on how his breakout year was flipped after being part of a 56-count indictment that included Young Thug and several other YSL members.

He writes, “22 & 2, just a bed & a shower, no windows just walls. Can’t see or talk to anyone. I’m writing now & still praying everyday. I was raised to fight fire with water, even tho my country’s amendments have failed me! PROTECT BLACK ART!”

T.I., who’s had several run-ins with the law throughout his rap career, immediately swooped in with words of encouragement.

Sad thing is ... Gunna wasn’t lying about 2022 being his time to shine. His album “DS4EVER” beat out The Weeknd to go No. 1 and his gold-selling “Pushin P” record set a trend.

Thug recently also broke his silence — live at Hot 97’s Summer Jam ... urging fans to sign to the Protect Black Art initiative — as did Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Post Malone, Polo G, Meek Mill and several other high-profile artists.

Amber Heard says she stands by every word she spoke during her 6-week trial with Johnny Depp -- words she calls "truth to power."

A new portion of her 'Today' interview with Savannah Guthrie dropped Tuesday. Here, we see Amber doubling down yet again in her defense -- namely, arguing that everything she testified to had, in fact, happened.

She also talks about social media -- backing her lawyers' gripes that the jury must've seen it -- and even addresses the sea of Depp fans she was up against.

When SG asks her what she makes of people who might be disgusted with both of them -- Amber says she gets it, but that what those folks might not understand is that this case was actually constitutional rights.

Savannah pushes back, saying the First Amendment doesn't protect lies that amount to defamation ... which Amber totally agrees with, insisting she told none. AH says she did the opposite ... speaking "truth to power," as she puts it, for which she says she paid the price.

On the issue of whether she was "acting," Amber rhetorically asks how she could hold up against one of the greats of this generation ... implying JD was the one putting on a show.

There's more ... including Savannah throwing Amber's own recorded words -- in which she admits to hitting Johnny and starting fights -- right back in her face. But, Amber tells her they were out of context and don't paint the full picture.

Blac Chyna suing the Kardashians is proving to be a very costly affair for her -- the family says the trial cost them nearly $400K, and now they're demanding Chyna cover that amount.

One of the things the judge ordered last month, after a jury ruled in favor of the Kardashians, was for BC to pay their litigation costs because she put them through the legal wringer.

Welp, the Kardashians' lawyers filed new paperwork laying out their financial burden for the trial, and it's just over $390k. BTW, that does NOT include their attorneys' fees.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, the Kardashians' legal team insists the family spent more than $391,094 in total throughout the years-long proceedings.

Some of their highest outlays -- service of process ($9,325.99); hosting electronic documents ($7,248.35), court reporter fees ($19,895), and deposition costs ($63,078.20).

The biggest ticket item though -- their team claims $184,871.71 was spent on "models, enlargements, and photocopies of exhibits." There's even more money that goes uncategorized, nearly $97k worth.

Like we said, the judge said they're owed their costs, but the court will still need to sign off on the final amount.

Call it hard lesson #327 for Chyna: If the victor gets the spoils, the loser gets the bill.

Dolph Lundgren's daughter, Ida Lundgren, got a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend after he allegedly threatened her family ... TMZ has learned.

According to legal docs obtained by TMZ ... a judge ordered Ida's ex, Jack Eaton-Morris, to stay at least 100 yards away from Ida, Dolph, and other family members.

Ida claims on June 1, 2022, Jack took her phone and her passport to prevent her from leaving a London hotel, and also grabbed her face. She says cops were called, but Jack had fled -- she claims he'd driven off drunk.

And, according to Ida, Jack's flown off the handle like this at least 10 times before ... once even threatening to blow up her mom's car, and another time he threatened to kill himself.

BTW, Ida noted she has now broken things off with Jack, but he refuses to accept it.

Britney Spears' ex, Jason Alexander, cannot contact or bother the singer in any capacity for at least the next 3 years, a judge just issued a restraining order against Britney's ex-husband ... and also hit him with a felony stalking charge.

Alexander pled not guilty at his arraignment Monday on charges stemming from last week's wild incident -- in which he filmed himself sneaking onto the Ventura-area compound where she was set to get hitched ... only to be detained following a scuffle with security/law enforcement.

The judge also added a felony stalking charge to Alexander's case and set his bail at $100,000 ... and he'll have to surrender any firearms he may have in his possession.

As we reported, cops say JA was armed with a knife during the episode, and an emergency protective order was issued on Britney's behalf -- ordering him to steer clear of her and Sam.

He was booked for trespassing, vandalism and battery, for which he could possibly enter a plea Monday. And, he still has another case against him from Northern California ... where he's alleged to have committed grand theft.

In that case ... a woman claims he jacked a pricey bracelet of hers while crashing at her pad in 2015, listed as being worth $2,000. The Napa County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant for Alexander's arrest shortly thereafter in 2016 -- but he's dodged it thus far, it seems.

Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, certainly looked unimpressed after getting nailed for a DUI, as you can see in his newly released mug shot.

We've obtained the photo, snapped after Pelosi's May arrest ... he's wearing a dress shirt and jacket.

TMZ broke the story -- Paul was involved in an accident the night of May 28 near Napa, California. Officers got a call for a 2 vehicle crash, Paul was driving a 2021 Porsche when it was struck by a Jeep.

There were rumors, spread by members of the GOP, including Donald Trump Jr. who spread a rumor CA Governor Gavin Newsom had stepped in to get the charges against Paul dismissed.

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari are officially Mr. and Mrs. -- but it didn't happen before some very serious legal legwork -- to make sure Britney's millions are protected down the road.

Sources close to the newly married couple tell TMZ they have an ironclad prenup in place where Sam doesn't get a dollar from the fortune Brit's made up to this point. The move isn't all that surprising, as we told you ... lawyers were called shortly after the couple got engaged to start figuring things out.

Britney's worth a reported $60 million, and obviously there's a potential for serious earning moving forward ... but she'll retain her entire fortune if things go south for her and Sam.

You'll remember, Asghari joked that HE was the one who wanted the prenup -- to protect his jeep and shoe collection -- but our sources tell us it was obviously Brit's team who got the ball rolling on the legal discussions.

Britney also had a prenup in place before she got married to Kevin Federline.

As we reported, Sam and Britney got married Thursday in Los Angeles at the singer's home. Madonna, Paris Hilton and Selena Gomez were among those in attendance. No one from Britney's family made it to the celebration.

Damon Dash will not be going rogue and auctioning off Jay-Z's "Reasonable Doubt" album as an NFT ... he and Roc-A-Fella Records settled the case before it got that far.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Dash and RAF have agreed to terms on a settlement -- Dame agrees that only RAF has the rights to sell an NFT of the famous album.

TMZ broke the story ... Roc-A-Fella sued DD back in June 2021, claiming Dash was trying to mint "Reasonable Doubt" as a non-fungible token in order to sell it to the highest bidder.

The record company argued the album was not Damon's to sell because the company owns it.

Under the settlement, Damon and RAF agree no individual shareholder can sell the album as an NFT -- meaning, Jay can't either -- because it's owned by the company and not any individual shareholder.

The only thing Dame can sell, according to the settlement, is his own 1/3 ownership in Roc-A-Fella Records, Inc.

Bryce Hall is lucky to be standing after an alleged drunk driver plowed into his Tesla, totaling the vehicle.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the suspect who ran into Hall blew more than double the legal limit and was arrested for DUI Sunday night in WeHo after his SUV crashed into Bryce's Tesla.

We're told no one was seriously injured, but some were complaining about aches and pains after the crash.

Cops say the TikTok star's Tesla had its airbags deployed and ended up getting towed away ... he was pretty shaken up, telling those around him he wasn't getting the answers he wanted.

As we reported, Bryce had an incident last December with a man named Joshua Shakill who was arrested on suspicion of burglary ... the guy broke into his West Hollywood home while Bryce was there.